August 28, 2013

White Dog and The White Dog Army

Wonderful World Wednesday

White Dog and every member of the White Dog Army honors and respects the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. a visionary of peace and equality…A hardworking dreamer who believed in an America that was strong and mighty for its ability to embrace all of its citizens and for its wiseness in creating one country working together to change the world.

Fifty years ago today, some 250,000 people — young and old, rich and poor, black and white — gathered before the Lincoln Memorial in a show of support for the burgeoning civil rights movement.

The event drew activists including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and A. Phillip Randolph, as well as actors including Marlon Brando and Charlton Heston, and singers Bob Dylan and Mahalia Jackson.

The event, which some feared would turn violent, proceeded peacefully through the day and was capped with King's famous "I have a dream" address – which would later become one of the most celebrated speeches in American history.

In 2013, the White Dog Army senses the fear and divisions that have crept into our country’s consciousness. They understand that we are at a crisis point and must rediscover how to unite for our common good. There are many issues that simply won’t be solved if we continue to bicker and finger point and refuse to cooperate.

The WDA finds hope and comfort in parts of the speech that are less often quoted but no less important. These are a few of our favorite insights from Dr. King’s speech, that we feel are worth reflecting on during THESE troubled times:

“…But we refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt. We refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds in the great vaults of opportunity of this nation. And so, we've come to cash this check, a check that will give us upon demand the riches of freedom and the security of justice…”

“…We cannot walk alone. And as we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead.We cannot turn back…”

“…And so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream. I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal’…"

“…With this faith, we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith, we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith, we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day…”

“…And this will be the day -- this will be the day when all of God's children will be able to sing with new meaning:

“…My country 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing. Land where my fathers died, land of the Pilgrim's pride, From every mountainside, let freedom ring! And if America is to be a great nation, this must become true. From every mountainside, let freedom ring…”

The White Dog Army believes when this happens, and when we finally join together as full partners to tackle and solve and rebuild, the wonderful world envisioned by this great man will joyfully celebrate with a rousing “Free at last! Free at last!”